Campbell man faces charges

CAMPBELL -- A 42-year-old Puerto Rico native has surrendered to police on charges that he was part of a group of men linked to the kidnapping of a 24-year-old Campbell woman and her three children in May, leaving the woman with a gunshot wound.
Wilfredo Placeres, of 47 Trembel Ave., Campbell, faces four kidnapping charges and one count each of conspiracy to kidnapping, conspiracy to attempted murder and attempted aggravated murder.
Campbell Municipal Court Judge John Paul Almasy set bond at $175,000 during an arraignment this morning and ordered a court-appointed attorney. Placeres, knowing there were warrants out for his arrest, turned himself in Monday at the police station.
Placeres is accused of kidnapping Maria Rosario Romano and her children, ages, 2, 4, and 7, as she drove them home in her minivan. He is accused of being part of a group that shot Romano in the hip and kidnapped the family for six hours, demanding a ransom from her husband, before setting them free at a Campbell gas station.
Earlier this month, a jury in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court acquitted Jose Placeres and Joseph Gonzalez, who were accused of taking part in the crimes.
Police said Jose Placeres is not related to Wilfredo Placeres.
Besides Wilfredo Placeres, police seek an additional suspect.